Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-11-03
THE olpLINeToN ESTATE.



This same Mr.. Tyssen Amherst, who
derives from the Questionable but pro-
ductive northern suburb OF Hackney,
which he OWNS almost in its entirety, an
income sufficient TO enable him to bear
the expenses of keeping up the nine
square miles of his DidIngton estate, was,
so to speak. obliged to give his people
Jubilee fete, and to do so on large scale.
Nine parishes sent their contingents In
200 vehicles of every description. which
from the early forenoon discharged their
freight of men. women and children
within the gates of his park; his nag
bearing his coat of arms huttered from
the top of the hall tower. Free access
was given 10 the grounds, the gardens.
the herunry. the deer inclosure, the CON
servatories, the plantations, and the lake
with its bridges summer and boat houses
and many islands. On meadow be-
tween the house and church eleven or
twelve large marques wei : erected: one
devoted to a horticultural exhibition Of
fruit, vegetables and flowers where the
cottagers VOL prizes; three to refresh
ments and the rest TO substantial spreads
OF dinners and teas served at different
times to men, women and children.
Nearly 5000 people were Mr.. Amherst's
special guests, amused and fed during
twelve hours at his expensei 1900 more
had been admitted to his park, aud were
free to enjoy the various phases OF the
fete the merry go-rounds and swings, the
ventriloqui.ts. jugglers, and excellent
military bands, as well as the elaborate
Examinations and fireworks which at dusk
converted many acres Of lake and grounds
into a fairy scene. Looking into the
tents set APART for the tenants you sa"
almost interminable tables laden with
such rounds and sirloins Of beef as seem
to appertain essentially 10 England, with
rows Df beer tankards, and other edlbleS
and drinkahles. Bailiffs and land agents
who have been for fifty years on the
estate presided over the tables and carved
the mighty joints; the giyer OF the feast
made an appropriate speech IN each tent
and was never more Justify cheered in the
house Of commons than by the school
children who had partaken OF the tea and
cake in quantities which would have as
tonished a regiment of hungry soldiers
The ladies of the family waited on them,
as also on the women, and saw that none
rose till they were fully satlated. A
cricket match between two parishes was
a great feature of tie entertainment, the
captain of one eleveA being Lord William
Cecil, son of the Marquis of Exeter, play
ing with gardeners, keepers and laborers
against a team in which social ranks were
equally confounded.
Hogsheads of beer, tons of beef, gallons
of tea were consumed at what must have
been an enormous EXPENSE ana II the
host allowed, in some tents set apart Tor
that purpose, refreshments to be sold at
merely nominal price by previous arrange
ments made with the caterers, 1t was for
a reason which probably would never
have occurred to stranger. BY all
established canons be was as lord OF the
manor perfectly justified in inviting and
treating all his tenants and people living
on his land; as member Of parliament
had he treated and fed the outlying in
habitants he would have laid himself open
to the imputation Of bribery and eorrup-
ton, and of attempting to tamper with
and win oyer the votes Of the free born
electors.
On the day of the fete, for many miles
around the country side presented sing
ular aspect. 1t seemed rs if a deep ST.
lence and lifelessness had suddenly fallen
over the land. Horses and cattle were
no longer visible in the fields. all labor
was suspended. the villages. farms and
cottages were deserted alike by young and
old, the doors were bolted, the windows
shut down, and the wayfarer would
knock In vain if he wanted to ask what
road to take; there was not living crea-
ture anywhere to give him the desired
answer. Every human soul was at Did
lington, and many came from such dis
lance that it was late into the following
night when they regained their homes.
carrying with them the jubilee cup and
saucer. which was one of the most cher
ished souvenirs Of the celebration.